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Pyrolysis is an attractive alternative for the conversion of solid fuels to valuable chemicals and bio-fuels. In order to obtain more H2 and syngas from pyrolysis of coal and biomass, microwave has been adopted to enhance the co-pyrolysis of coal and biomass, which has been investigated systematically in this study. Firstly, conventional pyrolysis of coal and biomass was carried out using a vertical tube furnace. Characterizations of pyrolytic gas, liquid and solid products were conducted to study the different properties of products from the pyrolysis of coal and biomass. More gas products were produced at higher temperatures and biomass samples produced more H2 and syngas than coals. Bio-oils produced from conventional pyrolysis of biomass samples have relatively simpler compositions compared with those produced from conventional pyrolysis of coals. Char samples produced from conventional pyrolysis of coal and biomass samples show different morphologies due to the different nature of original coal and biomass. Secondly, microwave-induced pyrolysis of coal and biomass was carried out and compared with the results of conventional pyrolysis. Microwave-induced pyrolysis was found to produce pyrolytic gas products with higher contents of H2 and syngas than conventional pyrolysis. The bio-oils produced from microwave-induced pyrolysis were not as complicated as those from conventional pyrolysis. The reason for this is believed to be that both microwave irradiation and the longer residence time favour more complete decomposition of large hydrocarbon molecules in coal and biomass, which subsequently results in less complicated composition compared with bio-oil produced via conventional pyrolysis. Char samples from microwave-induced pyrolysis undergo more complete pyrolysis than char samples from conventional pyrolysis, and results in less volatiles remaining. Because of the thermal annealing process by microwave at the later stage of pyrolysis, char samples produced by microwave-induced pyrolysis have higher peak temperatures and burnout temperatures than those produced by conventional pyrolysis. In char samples prepared via microwave-induced pyrolysis of coal and biomass, special structures are found, such as nano-scale fibers in char samples from gumwood and pine, spheres in char samples from coals as well as coal and biomass blends. Based on the analysis of energy balance, it is evident that microwave-induced pyrolysis is a cost-effective and energy saving method for solid fuel conversion.

This thesis describes the search for new heavy neutral gauge bosons decaying into di-electron pairs, focussing on the Z′SSM boson described by the Sequential Standard Model. The analysis uses 20.3fb−1 of pp collisions at √s = 8TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector during the 2012 data taking period at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The invariant mass spectrum of di-electron pairs is used as the search variable and is analysed in the region 80 GeV < mee < 4500 GeV. The spectrum is compared to the Standard Model expectation dominated by the neutral current Drell-Yan process. Several novel techniques are developed to improve the description of both, the Drell-Yan process and photon-induced di-lepton production. As no significant excess is found in the data, statistical techniques are used to interpret the result as limits on the production and decay of a new heavy gauge boson. A 95% C.L. Bayesian lower limit is set on the Z′SSM mass at 2.78TeV with a corresponding upper limit on the Z′SSM cross-section times branching ratio σ × Br(Z′SSM → e+e−) of 3.53 × 10−4 pb.

In this study, the effectiveness of worked examples that emphasizes problem features (data type, number of groups, purpose of analysis) associated with specific problem types (t-test, chi-square, correlation) were examined on students' construction of problem schemata compared to traditional solution-only worked examples. A sample of 96 students and a think-aloud sample of 4 students were asked to categorize 9 statistics word problems and to provide explanations for the categorization. Additional probing of students' statistical understanding was conducted through individual interviews with 10 students from the large sample. Results demonstrated that the worked examples providing schema instruction (i.e., contrasting and correct) were effective in helping students construct more accurate and complete problem schemata at posttest. However, the contrasting examples did not show a significant advantage over the correct schema examples. The effect of schema instruction did vary somewhat by problem type and it seemed most beneficial on the chi-square problems. Moreover, substantially more students were able to correctly identify the date type and the number of groups features as a result of the instruction, but the instruction failed to have an impact with respect to purpose of analysis. Explanations for the findings, as well as limitations of this study and future directions are discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The Northern Hastings Block (NHB) consists of Carboniferous, complexly folded, weakly cleaved, extensively faulted, fore-arc sequences out of position in the New England Orogen. It shares part of deformation history with the adjacent Nambucca Block (NB) and Southern Hastings Block (SHB). It was subjected to prolonged N-S and later E-W shortening. Four generations of macroscopic and mesoscopic folds and associated cleavage have formed within the NHB region according to their cross-cutting relationships. Fault analysis shows faults of a similar orientation in the NHB did not form at the same time. Some fault movement is related to Late Carboniferous emplacement of Hastings Block, but most faults formed and moved after cleavage and fold formation. Limited fault movement occurred after Triassic granite emplacement. The extreme variability in the orientation of bedding from fault block to fault block recognized in this study, highlights the shuffling of fault blocks between the NHB and SHB post-Parrabel Dome formation. The extreme disruption of sequences between the NHB and SHB, are considered to be due to the rotation and translation or because of a fault network produced in a restraining fault-bend along strike-slip faults. Gravity and magnetic worm analysis revealed a possible new boundary between the NHB and SHB. Four cross sections across the NHB based on field data are presented and have been 2D restored following the principles of structural balance. Based on these sections, the Parrabel Dome is a NW and SE-plunging dome which is box-like in the core and more open towards the north and south. The total horizontal shortening suggests only moderate cleavage development could occur consistent with field observations. A 3D structural model is created from a comprehensive field dataset which shows a gross picture of the shape of the NHB. This model has aided fault block reconstruction and provided information on the direction and movement of fault blocks. The formation of the Hastings Block was not due to large-scale ‘oroclinal’ folding in the Manning and Hastings area as suggested by previous authors but has been transported northward between two major fault systems. The NHB at this time underwent anticlockwise rotation.

In this work, a finite element model of an in-flight aircraft refueling system is developed. The model is a first attempt to describe the dynamics of a probe-and-drogue refueling system commonly used by Navy aircraft. The purpose of this work is to develop a model of the drogue system to be able to study control and sensor system requirements for an autonomous refueling system. This work is intended as a first introduction to an automated in-flight refueling system with special concentration on the modeling of a probe-and-drogue in-flight refueling system for aircrafts. An understanding of what is an in-flight refueling system and its significance and influence to the advancement of a aircraft is first presented. The main character of the system, such as mass, stiffness, damping effect is found from visual observation of an actual drogue system. While changing these parameters, the responses with different outside forces added on the system, such as impulse response, step response can be controlled. If the modeling response is stable, it is possible to simulate the simplified real outside force, such as exponential increases force used to simulate wind interaction effects in the model predicting the overall system response.